Trust in the Lord

Straighten-The-Path-by-John-Freeze

Thanks Brian for Trust a Must for Leaders series of articles, especially about Servant Leadership.

Now that I have been on board with Crossroads Career for this first month, I am really having a blast.  The quick report includes setting up new office. Starting Ministry Ventures program with Overview. Working closely with core team Cory and Judy plus board members Tim, Dave and Brian. Beginning to connect with member ministry leaders – many more to go.  Praying a lot, getting time in God’s word and trusting in the Lord every day!

Trust in the Lord

My primary study Bible resembles a filing cabinet almost as much as it does a book.  I decided when I got this Bible that I was REALLY going to use this one.  All sorts of notes are scribbled in the margins, pictures are crammed in between the pages, cards, notes and study outlines are stuffed inside the back cover.

One is a small scrap of paper that my Grandfather placed in a Bible he and my grandmother gave me when I was about 13.  Like most 13 year old boys, I didn’t open that Bible much.  As a matter of fact, I only found the small note “Papa Jack” had placed inside many years after he died.  His handwritten note has become the foundation of my faith…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will

make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

I’ll be honest with you.  I don’t know that I’d ever read these verses until I found this note when I was in my late 20’s.

As a 13 year old boy, there is absolutely no reason not to lean on your own understanding.  You already know everything!!   Nearing age 50, I finally have come to understand how little I do understand.  I also am convinced that living out these two simple verses in every facet of life is a major key to success, happiness and pleasing God.

Sounds simple, right?  Well, consider this question.  Do you worry?  Ever?  About anything?  Do you worry that you won’t find a job or perhaps that you won’t find the right job?  I remember hearing a long time ago that worry is a sin.  That really bothered me.  I had to put some serious thought into it.  I could only come up with four reasons we worry.

  1. We don’t think He is big enough, strong enough, powerful enough.
  2. We don’t trust that God wants what’s best for us.
  3. We don’t think we can handle the situation.
  4. We are just inclined to be negative and to worry.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving.  The key to straightening the path for your life is right there in Proverbs 3:5-6.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.   I’m not trying to beat you down here, but please be honest with yourself on this.  It does not say to tell people you trust in the Lord.  It is a command to do it!  It also doesn’t say trust in the Lord only when you can’t figure it out on your own.  It says DO NOT lean on your own understanding.  In theory, the premise is quite simple.

 Trust God with your job search and don’t try to figure it out yourself. 

Don’t worry about it.  God will take care of it.

For more about trusting the Lord and acknowledging Him in your job search, career development and God’s calling, take a look at my book, Straightening the Path: A Unique Approach for Job Seekers. 

StraightenThePath

Acknowledge Him

Now that the Lord has called me to this ministry, more than anything else, I must trust in the Lord above anyone or anything else.  I pray for your prayers to follow the Lord as He straightens the path, one step at a time.

Finally, I would love to hear from each of you who have read this far.  Tell me about your trusting in the Lord!

Comments 4

  1. Post
    Author

    Thank you John! Awesome addition to the conversation about Trust a Must for Leaders. The only person worth following is a person who is trusting and following God first, foremost and forever.

  2. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a staple verse and one that I continue to come back to all the time for direction. So simple yet profound. Great to have you leading the ministry

  3. Thank you for the encouragement to trust in the Lord. I think coming from a hard-working value system, it’s too easy for me to depend on my resources to do X and get worried and stressed out when I don’t have that resource within myself or the grace to do what I think needs to be done. Instead, I have to surrender my self-dependence, cry out to God, and wait on Him. Right now, I am raising support to enter a ministry job. I have come nose-to-nose with the fact that I desperately need God to work for me — every day!

  4. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
    1st Corinthians 13:11
    Thanks for sharing John,
    I appreciate how we all go through this stage whether it be in a secular or faith walk . My journey of trust started upon accepting Christ in 2011 at 46 years old and then meeting Brian Ray at Transformation around the end of 2012. Now finished with yet another “bridge” assignment , I have found peace in knowing that , looking back, God has been faithful since I left my “career” job in 2009 and has a bigger plan for my life than I could ever imagine.
    I shared most recently with Brian and teammates a quote that has really just spoke to my heart since hearing it last week.

    ” God will decide when to send the rain , It,s our job to keep preparing the fields”. – Facing the Giants-
    Deuteronomy 28:12 ( a chapter titled Blessings for Obedience)
    The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never borrow from them.

    I have been trusting God and will continue to prepare my fields in preparation for the rain.

    Thanks for the opportunity to share John
    Chris

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